New ROI Study/Curriculum Reforms/Student Service Innovations/Career Tours
Robert McGuire
I build customized storytelling machines to engage audiences for higher ed, edtech and nonprofits. Message me for a client case study with measurable results.
Welcome to the May 6 edition of Worth it!
Worth it! rounds up the good news from institutions, coalitions and communities working to align academic and career success. I keep an eye out for innovations in internships, career services, instructional design and data-driven organizational change. I believe better stories are hiding in plain sight that answer questions about the value of college. I help higher ed, nonprofits and edtech companies tell those stories. More about where I'm coming from in this rant.
Trends
Overall college enrollment has increased by nearly 7 percent, a dramatic reversal of more than a decade of enrollment declines in the state. First-time, full-time enrollment increased by nearly 10 percent. New Mexico had the second-highest enrollment growth of any state in 2023 and remains in the top five states for enrollment increases nationally.?
This great result is because taxpayers are taking on more of the cost of college in a well-designed scholarship program that reduces costs for individual students.
The Opportunity Scholarship is the only state-funded scholarship in the nation that serves both recent high school graduates and returning adult learners; accommodates both part-time and full-time students; covers certificate, associate and bachelor’s degree programs; allows students to attend during the summer; covers full tuition and has no income requirement. It has been nationally recognized by the Campaign for Free College Tuition and Complete College America as the most accessible and expansive tuition-free college program in the United States.
Research
An economic impact study shows the sector added $52.4 million in economic activity for the county in 2022-23.
The arts supported 915 jobs, generated almost $9.5 million in local, state and federal tax revenue, and attracted over 2,100 volunteers. It also shows that the average person spent almost $40 per event, beyond the cost of admission, on things such as dining out, parking and childcare. And those visiting from outside the county spent more. Over 24% of attendees were nonlocal visitors who spent an average of $57.
Conducted by Americans for the Arts and MTSU College of Liberal Arts at Middle Tennessee State University
A statistical analysis showing the return on investment of 10 college majors taking into account the costs. Some significantly better than others, but on average, the annual rate of return over a career vs. no college is 10% for women and 9% for men.
Building the ecosystem
The National Association of Colleges and Employers says they're in the validation stage of a new new career readiness competency assessment tool. Coming soon.
The American Council on Education approved Coursera as an Authorized Instructional Platform, which means an easier connection between industry needs, non-traditional learning and academic credit.
Campuses connecting the dots
The goal of the Work+ Collective Institute [at Arizona State University] is to help working learners make the most of their employment so that it is not just another job — it is a valuable experience that gives students the confidence to launch a fulfilling career . . . . As part of the collective, BGSU can create a network with other higher education institutions that have the same goals and aspirations. Together, the universities can encourage one another and share best practices regarding student employment.??
?Via Amanda Albaugh for the Bowling Green State University news page.
My alma mater, Cornell College , a SLAC in rural Iowa, took a student leadership development cohort on a tour of Chicago employers and industries, plus alumni meet-and-greets. The innovative block schedule format at Cornell makes short trips like this possible.
领英推荐
Muhlenberg’s new curriculum reflects the vital components needed for post-college success in our increasingly complex world. The varied perspectives and cross-disciplinary hallmarks of a liberal arts education are more valuable than ever before and are most impactful when paired with consequential experiential learning, written reflection and creative problem solving.
Muhlenberg graduates have always been driven to make a difference. You’ll be better equipped than ever to harness your potential on a pathway that’s right for you.
HT Provost Laura Lowe Furge
Lumina Foundation featured a story about David Gwyn , an English major turned investment bank analyst turned middle school teacher.
“I’ve found that if you position yourself correctly, an English major is actually one of the most malleable areas of study,” he wrote. “And if you understand that and can articulate it, you’re one step closer to success in pretty much any field.”
When I say higher ed has a better story to tell, this is what I'm talking about.
The “Curry Commitment” program will start next fall with the current freshman class. Under the new initiative, students who don’t get a job offer or who are not accepted to a graduate or professional school within the six-month period, will have the option of the college paying their student loans for up to a year, placing them in a yearlong paid internship at an organization connected to their field of study while they work with a career counselor, or covering the cost of six graduate course credits at Curry College if admitted to a program.
Momentum in the conversation
Advice from Ilene Crawford at Cornell College and Lisa Jasinski at The Associated Colleges of the Midwest about how new PhD graduates can close the gap between what R1 programs prepared them for and the teaching jobs that are actually out there.
This wasn’t my first ASU-GSV rodeo. I’ve seen the conference evolve, and it serves as an interesting mirror for the broader education world. I was excited to hear “skills,”?“pathways,” and “degrees” mentioned together over and over throughout the week. That wasn’t the case a few years ago.??
Source: Newsletter from Patrick Methvin , Director of Postsecondary Success Strategies at The Gates Foundation
Matt Sigelman of The Burning Glass Institute makes the case that institutional trustees should focus more on career outcomes for their graduates.
Putting students first means putting graduates’ opportunities first. When the price of college continues to rise even as long-term wage growth largely stagnates, opting to disregard the economics of the bachelor’s degree is a luxury most Americans can’t afford. Nor should colleges and their stewards.
He also outlines five practical levers that trustees have for influencing this issue. It's a highly recommended read.
Via AGB (Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges) Trusteeship magazine
Thank you Financial Times . That's what we've all been saying.
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Remember . . . Higher ed has a better story to tell.
Send me yours for the next roundup.
-Robert
Experienced Educator ?? | Customer Success Background ?? | Relationship Builder ?? | Solutions-Oriented Problem Solver ??? | Client Advocate ?? | Implementation Pro ?? | Lifelong Learner ?? | Inclusive Leader ??
9 个月Thanks for sharing Robert! Happy to share with anyone about how I leveraged my experiences and background during the interview process despite having 0 finance/business background. Feel free to reach out!